BASEBALL EXTRA | DODGER SCOUTING REPORT / HOUSTON

Astros Get Rocked, 9-7

DENVER — Dante Bichette hit a grand slam and Larry Walker got his 43rd homer, leading the Colorado Rockies over the Houston Astros, 9-7, Wednesday and sending the NL Central leaders to their 10th loss in 13 games.

Houston has maintained its division lead primarily because second-place Pittsburgh is slumping too. The Pirates, who trail by 3 1/2 games, have lost eight of 10 after a 5-4 defeat at Montreal on Wednesday.

Vinny Castilla hit his 39th homer and Harvey Pulliam had a pinch-hit home run as Colorado overcame 4-1 and 6-4 deficits to win for the 12th time in 14 games. Bichette, who has 24 homers, got the fifth grand slam of his career.

Houston's Jeff Bagwell went three for five and drove in three runs, tying the franchise record of 120 RBIs he set last season.

Trailing 6-4, Colorado rallied in the seventh when Pulliam homered off Mike Magnante (3-1), Weiss and Burks singled, John Hudek hit Andres Galarraga with a pitch and Bichette homered.